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Case and point: My coaching. Did you know that I teach a bunch of grown-ups? And, I LOVE IT! People invent interesting ways to do crossovers when they are habituated to a different way of moving. The Robot, Funky Chicken, Thriller– these are not just dance moves; I’ve seen them as skating ‘technique.’ What I love the most about teaching interested, smart, grown-ups is breaking them of their routines.

Yes. You can teach an old(er) dog new tricks.

The dog just has to be willing.

This got me thinking about habits. How much do we do automatically? How much have we habituated ourselves to behave, receive information, move through our days– effectively live?! Are we living, or merely cruising on autopilot?

Take mornings for example: Do you get out of bed with purpose, or because your alarm woke you at a set time (probably determined months or years(!) ago)? And, work: are you present and engaging with your tasks by offering new ideas and communication with colleagues or are you just passing time by doing everything the same?

Just think about. I’m not sure what is always appropriate. There are things: Circumstance. Necessity. Fear. Still…

This is your life.

That’s what I love about teaching skating and skating in general. You get a break. From the drone. You have to think. To feel. Alive.

So check in. If habits are going to arise, and it does seem that some invariably will sprout through, be clear and intentional. What are your habits now? Bring them into consciousness. What do you want your habits to be?

Now, if you are keen on making new habits, here are my recommended ones!

1) Catch you Mind! And, make it positive 🙂 What if you saw the world through SUNNY glasses. Now, maybe this is because I live in Ithaca (where Vitamin D goes to die!), but when I start thinking brighter the world seems to make much more sense. And, seem cheerier. Catch a smile. Then pass it on…

2) Get your Run / Yoga / Dance / Skate / Body Love on! Do I really need to explain this one? We feel better when we remember our body is a living breathing thing. We also think better too.

3) Kindness ❤ Try listening. Even better, try hearing. Make it not about you. Do something kind, random and unseen. Do something to make someone else feel better.

4) Breathe. When you catch your breath you catch your mind. You catch the moment. You are here. Now. Noticing change. Noticing life. Exhale.

5) Repeat. Repeat. Repeat. Remember the 10,000 hour rule. Well get started! It takes a good 21, 30, 66, NAMBLA 😉 days to make a habit stick. Make it a ritual. Make it a routine. Give it a soundtrack, if needed. Just keep taking care.

And, some tips from Al Gore’s creation- aka: the web! How to (re)form habits:

How to CHANGE your habits
The basics:

Do a 30-day challenge, focusing on just ONE habit.

Write it out on paper, along with your motivations, obstacles, and strategies for overcoming them.

Commit fully, in a public way.

Log your progress.

Remain publicly accountable — report on your progress each day.

Have support for when you falter — either in real life or online.

Reward every little success.

If you fail, figure out what went wrong, plan for it, and try again. (Source)